Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of the Iranian Quds Force, killed in a US drone strike in Iraq this morning.
Tracking official statements and positions by candidates and sitting officials is important for an informed electorate, so this year The Paradise Progressive will attempt to report official statements by Southwest Florida candidates and incumbents when major events break, in addition to its usual coverage.
Jan. 3, 2019 by David Silverberg
These are the official statements in reaction to the US killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, as of noon today, expressed through Twitter or Facebook.
Of three SWFL incumbents, two made statements.
Of two Democratic candidates, one made a statement.
Of seven Republican candidates, three made statements.
Incumbents:
Rep. Greg Steube (R-17-Fla.):
“Qassem Soleimani was an integral part of Iran’s terrorist regime and I applaud President Trump’s decisive action to bring him to justice. When I served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, many of my brothers and sisters in arms were killed by Iranian explosives at the direction of Seleimani. America, and the world, are safer now that his reign of terror has ended.”
https://twitter.com/RepGregSteube/status/1213111244007321601
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-25-Fla.):
“Soleimani plotted international acts of terrorism & has the blood of Americans & our allies on his hands. As the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds force, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, who operated within Iran. Soleimani was responsible for numerous terrorist acts, instability in the region, & violence. I commend the Trump Admin for ridding the world of this evil man, and for taking the steps necessary to protect Americans and our allies from the terrorist threat posed by Iran.”
https://twitter.com/MarioDB/status/1213107019609231360
Democratic congressional candidate
Cindy Banyai:
This is a troubling escalation. Do we want to go to war with Iran? This does not seem to be sound #foreignpolicy.
https://twitter.com/SWFLMom2020/status/1212920758504185856
Republican congressional candidates (in alphabetical order)
Dane Eagle
"This decisive military action deals a blow to our chief adversary in the Middle East and will certainly save American lives. Very proud of our President, and once again disappointed in the Fake News for trying to portray this as anything other than an extraordinary victory."
Ford O’Connell
“Thank you President Trump for not letting attacks against Americans go unanswered. Thank you for keeping America safe.”
Dan Severson
“The United States has an incredible intelligence apparatus that works hand in hand with the greatest military on earth. We are so fortunate to have a Commander in Chief like Donald J. Trump who acts swiftly and proportionally. Soleimani killed over 600 Americans and was the leader of terrorism sponsored by Iran. This was a good day for the United States of America.”